People convicted of driving under the influence of prescription or illegal drugs must have an ignition interlock installed on their vehicles as required by New Mexico’s drunken driving law, although the devices don’t detect the use of drugs, the state Court of Appeals has ruled.
The court’s precedent-setting ruling overturned a decision last year by a district judge in Santa Fe who determined that the ignition interlock requirement was unconstitutional for someone whose impairment was caused by drugs, rather than alcohol.
An interlock can only detect the presence of alcohol. Drivers must blow into the devices, which prevent a vehicle from starting or continuing to operate if someone’s blood-alcohol level exceeds a certain amount.
New Mexico has required ignition interlocks for anyone convicted of DWI since 2005.
Linda Atkinson, executive director of the DWI Resource Center, applauded the court’s ruling and said Thursday it will help in New Mexico’s fight against impaired drivers.
“It’s true that we know that an ignition interlock doesn’t detect drug use, but we also know a lot of times there’s dual use. It’s not just drugs people are using. Sometimes it’s alcohol with drugs,” Atkinson said in an interview...
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